Curtain-fixture.



PATENTED OUT. 22, 1907.

D. E. BONNER.

CURTAIN FIXTURE.

AIPLIOATION 1 11.21) JAN. 23, 1906.

2 sums-9mm 1.

No. 868,759. PATENTED OCT. 22, 1907. D. ELBONNBR. CURTAIN FIXTURE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 23, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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witnesses: Inventor Mali/W THE NaRRls PETERS cm. wAsHmcraN, a c.

DOUGLAS BONNER, OF OHIOAGO, ILLINOIS.

CURTAIN-FIXTURE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 22, 1907.

Application filed January 23,1906. Serial No. 297,472.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, DOUGLAS I BoNNEn, a resident of the city of Chi ago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Curtain-Fixtures. of which the following is a full, clear. and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to window curtains or shades, particularly to those of the class used in railway cars; and has special reference to an improved manner and means of attaching the fabric or curtain proper to the upper and lower curtain fixtures.

tlurtains which are used in the windows of railway cars soon become soiled, worn and discolored. At such time it becomes necessary to either discard the curtain or to reverse the fabric, putting the soiled portion at the top where it will be hidden by the shade roller casing within the upper portion of the window frame. This last cannot always be done, or the reason, that the patterns of the curtain fabrics are not all reversible. As car window curtains are now constructed the reversal of the fabric, that is, the upending thereof to hide the soiled part, cannot be accomplished economically. The fabric is sewed upon the curtain stick or fixture and its removal therefrom involves much labor, requiring also that the entire curtain be removed from the window. The fabric or body portion, which is usually of pantasotc or like expensive material, is of just sufficient length to cover the opening of the win dow. To the upper portion of this material is sewed a piece of cheaper and lighter, though strong material such as holland, which is attached to the shade roller. The lower end of the shade is sewed to the leather or leatherette covering of the lower fixture, which usually consists in a pinch handle operated friction shoe fixture of a common type. To reverse the ordinary shade, as previously mentioned, it is necessary to remove the curtain from the window casing and to rip the heavy fabric from both the holland or other light fabric at the top and the fixture covering at the bottom and after reversing the same, to restitch it to these parts. This is an expensive operation, especially where a number of shades are to be renovated or renewed. It would be much chcaper and more satisfactory if it were possible to cut oft the soiled lower part of the curtain fabric and ro-attach the lower end thereof to the movable curtain fixture. but this cannot now be done for the reason that the fabric is not long enough.

The object of my invention is to reduce the cost of shade maiinenancc in public conveyances, and the particular object of the invention is to provide a window shade and fixtures for said conveyances, which shade shall be capable of easy, quick adjustment when it is necessary to take up the worn or soiled portion of the shade fabric or material, a special object being to clamping jaws is a separate metallic bar.

obviate the necessity for ripping or restitching the shade or curtain and the removal of either the shade or the shade roller from the window casing.

My invention consists generally in a window shade or curtain of greater length than the window opening which it is designed to cover, and which is detachably secured to the shade roller, in combination with a lower fixture for securing the shade at different heights and means for detachably securing said shade to said lower fixture, whereby the lower portion of the shade may be taken up as it becomes worn or soiled; without ripping or sewing the shade, or taking it from the window casing.

My invention also consists in various details of construction and in combinations of parts, all as hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which Figure I is a front view of a curtain embodying my invention in its preferred form; Fig. II, is a section on line IIII of Fig. I; Fig. III, is a segregated, perspective view of the principal and minor parts of the novel lower fixture. Fig. IV, is an enlarged, vertical section of the curtain and a portion of the window frame. Fig. V is a sectional, perspective view of a slightly modified form of my invention in which one of the Fig. VI, is a further modification in which the curtain clamping and retaining portion, and the barrel covering, is identical with that illustrated in Figs. I to IV with the exception that the dependingportion is of flexible material and is secured between flanges or jaws formed upon the lower part of the barrel covering.

As shown in the drawings my invention comprises a spring roller suitably located in the upper part of the window casing, a shade of greater length than the window opening, the surplus being wound about the roller, a lower fixture of ordinary form adapted to secure the shade at any height, and a metal clamp for detachably securing the lower edge of said shade to said lower fixture in such manner as to permit the lower portion of the shade to be quickly and easily taken up when it becomes soiled. By making the shade of greater original length than is customary, the initial cost of the curtain is slightly increased, but this is more than compensated for by the minimum cost of repairing or renovating the curtain when it be comes worn or soiled. I

With my invention, when the lower edge of the curtain becomes soiledfcorl worn it is unclamped from the lower fixture, the soiled portion trimmed off and the lower edge of the remaining portion reclamped to the lower fixture. This is readily and quickly accomplished without removing the curtain from the roll,

This operation can be repeated until all the surplus length of the shade has been consumed, after which the curtain, when again soiled, can be readily unclamped from both the lower fixture and the roller and reversed and reclamped to said roller and lower fixture.

Referring to Figs. I to IV of the drawings, 1, indic tes the curtain fabric of pantasote or other suitable material which I detachably secure directly to a spring roller, 2, as at 3. As before stated, I prefer to make this curtain fabric of much greater length than is necessary to cover the window opening. The additional portion being wound upon the roller which is incased in the upper portion of the window frame is kept in good condition indefinitely. The barrel of the lower fixture which is of the usual pinch handle operated friction shoe type is inclosed in a sheet metal casing, 1. This casing comprises a cylindrical portion, 5, which surrounds the barrel, 6, of the fixture, a depending portion, 7, and a pair of outwardly curved jaws, 8, located above the barrel casing 5. The jaws 8, form the clamp by which the curtain proper is attached to the lower fixture. The curtain fabric, 1, is looped about a rod, 9, and is inserted between the semicylindrical jaws 8, of the casing 4. These jaws are then clamped securely upon the rod 9, and the fabric 1, by

a plurality of screws 10, or other fasteners passingthrough intermediate parts, 11, between the jaws S, and the barrel casing 5. In order that the screws 10, may have an ample hold I provide a strip or bar 12, which extends the whole length of the casing 4', to receive the screws.

The cylindrical portion 5, of the casing is provided with openings, 13, to accommodate the pinch handles, 14, of the fixture, and between the openings 13, is a small hole, 15, for the accommodation of the screw 16, which holds the barrel 6, in the casing. The screw, 16, also serves to secure the name plate, 17, to the device. The lower or depending portion 7, may be provided with a plurality of rivets, ]8, although such are not necessary in the construction of the device nor are they an essential part of the invention.

When the lower portion of-the fabric, 1, becomes soiled or worn, as it will in time, it is only necessary to loosen the screws, 10, thereby unclamping the curtain from the fixture casing, 4. The end of the curtain and the rod, 9, are then easily removed, after which the soiled portion is trimmed off. The lower end of the remaining portion of the curtain is then looped about the rod, 9, and inserted between the jaws 8, after which the screws 10, are tightened. The casing 4-, may then be rotated upon the rods 14 of the fixture until it is upside down, when any uneven edge of the curtain fabric may be trimmed off,,a fiange 19, provided upon one of the jaws 8, forming and being used as a straight edge or guide for the knife wherewith the trimming is done.

After the curtain has been trimmed a number of times and has reached its minimum length it may be unclamped from the casing, 4, as just described and also from the roller, 2. It may then be turned upside down and reclamped to both roller and fixture casing.

In Fig. V, I illustrate a slight modification of the foregoing construction. In this only one jaw of the clamp 8, is formed integrally with the casing i, the other jaw 20, being formed upon the strip, l2v

Fig. VI, is a further modification in which the barrel casing and the curtain clamping members are identical ,with those shown in Figs. I to IV of the drawings, the only difference being that the depending portion, 7, is formed of flexible material and clamped between d e pending flanges 35, 36, of the barrel casing by a plurality of screws, 37.

lit will be readily seen from the foregoing that curtains constructed in accordance with my in vention may be maintained in best condition at a fraction of the cost which is now connected with their maintenance, and that the life of the curtain is greatly increased.

As numerous modifications will readily suggest themselves to any one skilled in the art, I do not limit myself to the structures shown in the drawings and described in the foregoing specifiration. Any device of the general character herein defined, whereby the shade fabric may be readily and quickly removed from or secured to the lower fixture, if necessary, without removing the shade from the window casing or necessitating any ripping or restitching, is within the scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. The combination. of a window frame with a curtain roller arranged thereon, a curtain fabric wound on said roller, a metallic clamp having semi-circular jaws coextensive with the lower edge of said fabric and secured thereto, and a fixture in length, equaling the length of said clamp. parallel with and depending from said clamp and adapted to secure the lower edge of the curtain at different heights in said window; substantially as de SCl'lllBi.

2. The combination, of a window frame with a curtain roller therein, a curtain fabric wound on said roller, a me tallic clamp comprising two parts between which the lower edge of said fabric is held and each coextensive therewith, a fixture holding barrel formed integral with and depending from said clamp and a suitable fixture provided in said barrel to engage said window frame and secure the curtain at different heights, substantially as described.

3. The combination, of a window frame with a curtain roller therein, a curtain fabric wound on said roller, a metallic clamp comprising two parts each coextensive with the lower edge of said fabric and one provided with a projecting straight-edge portion and curtain securing means attached to said clamp and engaged with said window frame, substantially described.

4. The combination, of a window frame with a curtain roller therein, a curtain fabric of greater length than the window opening and wound on said roller. a metallic clamp having jaws coextensive with the lower-edge of said fabric, jaw fasteners for binding said jaws upon the fabric. said fasteners being arranged beneath the lower edge of the fabric and a curtain securing fixture attached to said clamp, substantially s described.

5. A fixture for the curtains ol' the class described. comprising a metallic tube provided with a metallic clamp. comprising t.wo curtain rod holding jaws coextensive with the tube and jaw fasteners provided between said jaws and the tube, substantially as described.

(i. A fixture for curtains of the class described, composed of metal and comprising a tube portion, in combination with clamping portions 01. substantially the same length as the tube and provided with jaws and clamping means arranged between said jaws and the tube portion for clumping the jaws upon the edge of a curtain, substantially as described.

7. A fixture for curtains of the class described, formed of sheet metal and comprising a tube portion, in combination with clamping portions provided with jaws of sub-11 stantially the same length as the tube portion, a bar containing a plurality of threaded openings and a plurality of screws extending through said clamping portions into the openings of said bar, substantially as described 8. A fixture for curtains of the class described, comprising a metallic tube, upright parts thereon and curtain rod, holding jaws formed upon said parts. said jaws being of substantially the same length as said tube and clamping, screws interlnediately located in said parts. substantially as described.

1). A fixture for curtains of the class described. formed of sheet metal and comprising a. tube portion, in combina tion with clamping poi-lions ol substantially the length of said tube portion, said clamping portions havin, aws ol unequal height and means for clamping said jaws upon a curtain, substantially as described. i

it). A fixture for curlains ol the class described, comprising a metallic tube. in combination with two jaws of unequal heightexlemling from end to end of the tubes and clamping screws arrang d between the jaws and the tube, substanlially as described.

ii. A fixture lor curtains oi the class described, comprising a sheet metal tube provided with an integral twoparl. clamp olf equal length therewith; and having curtain-ei'lge holding jaws, in combin. tion with clamp applying means for closing said jaws and curtain securing means extending from the ends of said tube; substantially as described.

1;. In a fixture for curtains of the class described, the combination of a metallic tube and a curtain clamp of sheet. metal and coextensive with the lower edge of a curtain, in combination with a rod within said clamp, and means for binding the clamp upon the curtain, and curtain securing means mounted within said tube for securing the curtain at different heights; substantially as do; a-ibed.

iii. fixture, for curtains oi: the class described com prising a metallic tube provided with pinch-handle openings in combination with curtain securing means mounted within the tube, pinch'handles extending through said openings and adapted to operate said curtain securing means. and a two-part metallic clamp on the top of said tube. said clamp being coextensive with the lower edge of a curtain to receive and hold the curtain, substantially as described.

1-|. A fixture for curtains of the class described, comprising a tubular portion. having pinch handle openings, and integral clamping portions, each coextensive with said tubular portion and formed into a curtain clamping jaw, and one of said jaws being higher than the other and iorming a straight edge, substantially as and for the purpose spec led.

15. A fixture lfor curtains of the class described, comprising a tubular portion adapted to contain a. spring fixture, a depending web portion and two clamping portions rising from the tubular portion and having curved jaws adapted to receive the lower ei'lge of a curtain, substantially as described.

16. A fixture for curtains of the class described, formed of sheet metal and comprising a tubular portion adapted to contain a spring fixture. two clamping portions having their upper edges provided with curved jaws, in combination with (Zillllplllg screws arranged in said clamping portions. substantially as described.

17. A curtain fixture oi the class described, formed of she t metal and comprising a tubular portion, provided w pinch handle openings, and two integral clamping portions. provided with screw openings, and having their upper edges formed into curtain holding jaws, substantially as described.

18. A curtain fixture oi the class described, formed of sheet metal and comprising a tubular portion, provided with pinch handle openings, and two clamping portions provided with screw openings and having their upper edges formed into curtain holding jaws, one of which jaws is provided with a straight edge extension, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

19. A curtain fixture of the class described, formed of sheet metal and comprising' a tubular portion, :1 depending web portion, perforated clamping portions and jaws of unequal height, formed on said clamping portions, substantially as described.

20. A curtain fixture of the class described, comprising the tnlnilarportion 5, curved jaw portions, straight intermediate portions, the latter having a plurality of perforations, in combination with a plurality of screws, and a clamping bar coacting therewith to clamp said jaws t0- gether, substantially as described.

21. A curtain fixture of the class described, composed of a single piece of sheet metal and comprising a tubular portion, having pinch handle openings, jaw portions, straight, perforated, intermediate portions and a projecting straight edge portion, substantially as described.

L. A curtain fixture ot the class described, comprising a tubular portion 5, clamping portions 11, and jaw portions 8, S, in combination with means for clamping said jaw portions upon at our -iin, substantially as described.

23. A curtain fixture oi the class des ibed, formed of sheet metal and comprising a tubular portion 5, containing pinch handle openings, perforated portions 11, curved jaw portions s, h, and a projecting straight edge portion 19, substantially as described.

24. In a device of the class described, a rod 9, in combination with a curtain having its lower cc go wrapped upon said rod, a curtain fixture casing :omprising a tubular portion and two conforming jaw portions each of the same length as said rod 9 and means for binding said jaw portions upon said rod, substantially as described.

25. A metallic curtain fixture of the class described, comprising an upper tubular portion, a larger tubular por' tion, to contain a spring fixture, a connecting web portion, jaw portions integral with the upper tubular portion, all of substantially the same length, and means for clamping said jaw portions upon a curtain, substantially as described.

26. A curtain fixture comprising a clamp substantially coextensive with the lower-edge of the curtain and containing a spring casing, said clamp having a pair of jaws between which the lower edge e t the curtain is fastened in combination with a curtain holding fastener in said casing to engage a window frame, substantially described.

27. The combination oi a window frame with a curtain roller therein, a curtain fabric wound on said roller, a metallic clamp having jaws coextensive with the lower edge of said fabric, a rod whereon the fabric is wrapped within said jaws, jaw fasteners for binding the jaws'upon the fabric, and a curtain securing fixture depending from said clamp, substantially as described.

28. A fixture for curtains of the class described formed of sheet metal and comprising a tube portion in combination with clamping portions provided with jaws of sub stantially the same length as the tube portion, a bar containing a plurality of openings and a plurality of screws extending through said clamping portion into the openings of said bar, substantially as described 29. A fixture for curtains of the class described comprising an internally cylindrical tubular portion adapted to contain a spring mechanism for fastening the fixture at dilferent heights in a window, and two clamping portions extending upwardly from said tubular portion parallel therewith and having curved jaws adapted to receive the lower edge of a curtain, substantially as described.

30. The combination of a curtain roller, a curtain fabric wound thereon, a lower fixture comprising a metallic clamp having a pair of semitubular jaws, a fixture holding barrel formed integ -al with said clamp, said barrel having a pinch-handle opening, and a rod between said jaws, and means for tightening the clamp upon said fabric, the latter being looped around said rod, substantially as described.

31. The combination of a curtain, a pair of clamping jaws and a rod surrounded thereby, the curtain having its lower edge wrapped upon said rod, the clamping jaws be ing of unequal height and extending substantially the entire width of said curtain, substantially as and-for the purpose described.

32. The combination of a curtain, a pair of clamping jaws and a rod surrounded thereby, the curtain having its lower edge wrapped upon said rod, one of the clamping jaws being provided with a raised straight edge the said clamping jaws and straight edge extending substantially the entire width of said curtain, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

33). The combination of a curtain, a pair of clamping jaws and a rod surrounded thereby, said clamping jaws and rod extending substantially the entire width of said curtain the curtain having its lower edge wrapped upon said rod. and adjustable fastening means located below the lower edge of the curtain for binding said jaws upon the fabric, substantially as and for the purpose described.

34. The combination of a curtain, a pair of clamping jaws and a rod surrounded thereby, the curtain having its lower edge wrapped upon said rod, the clamping jaws being of unequal height, and fastening means located below the lower edge of the curtain for binding said jaws upon the curtain, substantially as and for the purpose described. F The combination of a curtain, a pair ofclamping jaws and a rod surrounded thereby, the curtain having its lower edge wrapped upon said rod, one of the clamping jaws being provided with a raised straight edge, and fastening means located below the lower edge of the cur tain for binding said jaws upon the curtain, substantially as and for the purposes described.

36. The combination of a curtain, a pair of clamping jaws each member of which is provided with a depending web portion, a bar, and screw threaded means passing through the web portions for firmly binding the bar to the web portions and also for clamping the jaws upon the curtain, substantially as and for the purpose described.

37. A fixture for curtains comprising a split tube adapt ed to contain a device for securing the lower edge of a window shade at dilterent heights in a window frame, a pair of jaws adapted to hold the lower edge of a curtain, and clamping means between the tube and the jaws and beneath the lower edge of the curtain, for simultaneously binding the jaw upon the curtain and closing the tube upon the shade securing means, substantially as and for the purpose described.

38. A fixture for curtains comprising a split tube adapted to contain a device for securing the lower edge of a Window shade at diil'erent heights on a window frame, a pair of jaws adapted to hold the lower edge of a curtain, each jaw being integrally united with the edge of the split tube by a depending web portion, and fastening means, extending through said web portions, for simultaneously binding the jaws upon the curtain and closing the tube upon the shade securing means, substantially as and for the purpose described.

31). A fixture for curtains comprising, jaw portions 8, depending web portions 11, and a casing 4, all integrally united and made of one piece of sheet metal, substantially as described In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 22nd day of January, 1906, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

DOUGLAS E, BONNER.

Witnesses FLORENCE .T. WALsH, E. G. REID. 

